Crime Stories with Nancy Grace
Episode: SAVANNAH GUTHRIE MOM MISSING: DAY 40
Date: March 12, 2026
Podcast: iHeartPodcasts and CrimeOnline
Host: Nancy Grace
Episode Overview
This episode centers on the ongoing investigation into the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, mother of Today Show host Savannah Guthrie, who has now been missing for 40 days. Nancy Grace and a panel of experts provide an in-depth look at the renewed FBI efforts, including advanced forensic work, the search for key evidence, new angles on possible suspects, and the utilization (and limitations) of AI in the case. They also examine the impact of media exposure and what can be gathered from recently resurfaced videos and surveillance footage connected to the case.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. FBI Forensics and Shoe Impression Evidence
(02:02–11:00)
- Electrostatic Lifting & Shoe Casts:
- Joseph Scott Morgan explains shoe impression evidence, distinguishing between traditional casting and electrostatic lifts.
- Electrostatic lifts can “freeze in time” an otherwise invisible print on tile or non-porous surfaces, possibly helping to identify the perpetrator’s footwear.
- Challenges Due to Crime Scene Contamination:
- The scene was not secured early on, with the public and media freely accessing the porch and interior.
- “Anybody and their little sister could walk up to the front porch and take photos because [the sheriff’s office] did not secure the scene, not once, but twice.” — Nancy Grace [06:59]
- Key evidence, such as a bloody mat, was not collected immediately, risking the integrity of forensic results.
- “Once you take that tape down, it is open season at that point. Any attorney worth their salt can argue, hey, look, anything can be planted in there.” — Joseph Scott Morgan [07:30]
- The scene was not secured early on, with the public and media freely accessing the porch and interior.
2. Clues from Media Content: Bedroom Video and Accessibility
(11:00–18:15)
- A 2013 Today Show video featuring Nancy Guthrie at home is scrutinized for clues regarding the home layout (e.g., bedroom window at ground level), items visible, and what a potential perpetrator could have learned.
- The video resurfaced and circulated online after Megyn Kelly highlighted its relevance.
- Discussion on how videos and public profiles can unintentionally reveal personal vulnerabilities.
3. Tattoo Removal as a Perpetrator Identifier
(18:59–25:45)
- Expert Interview: Jeff Garnett, Inkless Tattoo Removal Centers
- Garnett shares a previous case where a perpetrator sought immediate tattoo removal after a crime, highlighting how tattoo patterns (such as full sleeves) might connect suspects to crime scene visuals.
- “He came into one of our locations trying to get his sleeves removed ... Aftercare instructions were found in his car.” — Jeff Garnett [19:34]
- Full sleeve removal with lasers takes at least a year, not days. Immediate removal would require drastic surgical excision, leaving significant scars.
- “Be on the lookout for a male trying to have two full sleeves or at least one full sleeve...removed.” — Nancy Grace [21:44]
- Majority of people remove tattoos because they've outgrown them, but crimes connected to distinctive ink do occur.
4. FBI Reinvestigates Key Restaurant Contacts
(28:47–34:29)
- FBI spent two days re-interviewing employees and possibly patrons at El Charo, the restaurant where Savannah and Nancy Guthrie dined during a filmed visit.
- Investigators are probing circles of communication: “Who was told about the Guthries’ visit? Did anyone relay this to a person with criminal intent?”
- Law enforcement likely reviewing credit card records and available guest data from the restaurant to build a network of connections and leads.
- “It’s unlikely that it was happenstance that an abductor happened to be in the restaurant that day...” — Brian Fitzgibbons [33:24]
5. Surveillance Video and Evidence Collection
(34:29–37:16)
- Discussion extends to possible surveillance camera footage, neighborhood video, and digital trails.
- Fox News reports mention a ransom letter, which the Guthrie family acknowledges but says they’re prepared to negotiate for Nancy’s return.
6. Artificial Intelligence: The Ransom Note & Digital Tracing
(37:16–42:49)
- Christian Hammond, Northwestern University, discusses AI limitations:
- Perpetrators could use generative AI to craft ransom notes with untraceable authorship.
- “The power of the language models is that you can have them say something that you want to say, but in a tone and in a cadence of words that is not yours...you’ll leave a little bit of a trace...but that trace is so minute and is so washed out...that you wouldn’t be able to find it.” — Christian Hammond [37:16]
- Even with advanced search algorithms, tracking down a single AI request (“write a ransom note”) is nearly impossible due to data scale and privacy limits.
- Retinal scans from porch footage are discussed but dismissed due to insufficient image quality and lack of a matching sample:
- “You need that as the target...if you don’t have a target, it’s incredibly difficult to find the right thing at the right time that gives you the right kind of information.” — Christian Hammond [41:44]
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- On Crime Scene Mishandling:
- “They did not collect that mat the first time out. You know, I sit there and I think of it...that’s crime scene 101.” — Joseph Scott Morgan [07:30]
- On the Impact of Public Exposure:
- “Whoever searched Savannah Guthrie’s salary and Nancy Guthrie’s home address may very well have pulled up video just like this.” — Nancy Grace [12:58]
- On Use of AI in Ransom Notes:
- “It’s not a perfect world in terms of privacy...even with the finding the images associated with this particular camera, there were privacy issues...there’s always this.” — Christian Hammond [40:28]
- On Community Investigation:
- “It may not be that they're focused solely on that restaurant employee, but who’s on their periphery, who’s in their circle that they told about this event...” — Brian Fitzgibbons [31:44]
Key Timestamps
- 02:02: Start of case discussion, FBI efforts, shoe print evidence
- 04:49: Prof. Joseph Scott Morgan explains shoe impression forensic techniques
- 06:59: Nancy decries crime scene mishandling
- 09:09: Detailed explanation of electrostatic lifting
- 11:47: Analysis of resurfaced bedroom video (Today Show footage)
- 18:59: Discussion with Jeff Garnett about tattoo removal and implications for suspect identification
- 29:36: Dave Mack on FBI’s two-day restaurant employee re-interrogation
- 34:29: Nancy and Brian Fitzgibbons discuss surveillance video and restaurant guest records
- 37:16: AI expert Christian Hammond on ransom notes, privacy and search limitations
- 41:44: Feasibility of retinal scans for suspect ID
Final Takeaways
- The case continues to face obstacles due to early crime scene mismanagement and media attention inadvertently aiding potential perpetrators.
- Forensic technology offers promise (shoe prints, DNA from fabrics), but only if evidence has not been compromised by outsider access.
- Digital investigation is stymied by both the vastness and privacy of online data—AI-generated ransom notes are difficult, if not impossible, to tie to any suspect without a specific digital trail.
- Law enforcement is actively pursuing every angle, especially focusing on those who may have learned about Nancy Guthrie’s vulnerability from her daughter’s public profile and local restaurant appearances.
- Community assistance is crucial—authorities urge anyone with information to come forward, noting a substantial reward is offered.
To provide tips:
- Call: 800-225-5324 (toll-free) or 520-882-7463 (anonymous)
- Reward: Over $1.2 million for information leading to Nancy Guthrie’s whereabouts (no arrest or conviction required).
Summary by [Assistant], Podcast Summarizer